Heating Cost Allocator Mount Detection via Sensor Card Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating cost allocators require additional mechanical parts for detecting the correct mounting of the housing on the radiator, which increases complexity, costs, and energy consumption during storage.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electronic support card with a V-shaped end and distant metal coatings that connect with the adapter, allowing for detection of the housing's presence and temperature measurement without additional mechanical parts, using surface-mount interconnection sheets for electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate mechanical push button system is used to detect housing mounting, then the detection function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection function with the existing temperature sensor support card by integrating metal coatings directly onto the card. This merging eliminates the need for a separate mechanical push button system while maintaining the detection capability, as the metal coatings serve dual purposes: electrical connection for temperature sensing and contact detection for mounting verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The support card for the temperature sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the sensor, establishes electrical connections for temperature measurement, and simultaneously detects whether the housing is correctly mounted on the adapter through its metal coatings. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If additional mechanical parts are added for detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is merged into the existing support card structure by adding metal coatings during the card's manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical parts and reduces assembly operations, as the detection capability is integrated into a component that must be present anyway for sensor support and electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The support card serves itself by using its own metal coatings, which are already part of its structure for electrical connection, to perform the detection function. The card's existing structural elements are utilized for dual purposes, eliminating the need for additional dedicated detection mechanisms and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the device remains in storage before installation, then it is ready for use, but energy is consumed by the battery or cell
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed to activate only when needed - specifically, when the housing is being mounted on the adapter. The metal coatings on the support card make contact with the adapter's metal elements only during this mounting action, triggering the detection sequence at the appropriate moment rather than continuously during storage, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the physical contact between the metal coatings and the adapter to determine when activation is appropriate. The detection function is triggered by the actual mounting event itself, allowing the system to remain dormant during storage and only consume energy when the housing is actually installed, thus optimizing battery usage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the number of parts, minimizes assembly operations, and ensures accurate detection of the housing's presence while maintaining efficient temperature measurement and energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a second temperature sensor (6) for measuring the temperature of the heating element and arranged close to the adapter (2)
Implementation Method 2
said electronic support board of said sensor comprises two distant metal coatings, these two metal coatings coming into contact with said adapter, when the housing is mounted on said adapter, and being connected to an electronic means of detecting the electrical connection of these two coatings
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating cost allocator intended to be fixed on a heating element and comprising in a housing (1) mounted on a rear metal adapter (2) an electronic board (3) called the main board connected to a temperature sensor (6) intended for measuring the temperature of said heating element and located near said adapter (2).According to the invention, said main electronic card (3) is connected to a support electronic card (9) of said sensor (6), said support electronic card (9) of said sensor has an edge of identical shape to a cross section of said adapter (2) and is disposed against this section and said support electronic card (9) of said sensor (6) has two distant metallic coatings (6A, 6B), these two metallic coatings coming into contact with said adapter (2), when the housing (1) is mounted on said adapter (2), and being connected to an electronic means for detecting the electrical connection of these two coatings.